JP7598100B2 - Sorting work assistance system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sorting operation assistance system that assists workers in sorting items.

Conventionally, in a line where workers sort items, a worker positioned next to the line removes items from the line that are transported by a transport device (conveyor, etc.). The worker then checks the information attached to the removed item, and then sorts the item by moving the item to a chute, conveyor, cart, etc. that corresponds to the sorting destination based on the information. However, in this type of configuration, checking the information attached to the items removed from the line increases the burden on the worker.

Technology that attempts to solve this problem is disclosed, for example, in Registered Utility Model No. 3186690 (Patent Document 1). In the sorting line disclosed in Patent Document 1, LED electronic display boards (2) are installed parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor (1) along the sorting line. Information (3) of the items (4) being transported is displayed on the LED electronic display board (2) so that it runs parallel to the items (4) at the same speed as the conveyor speed. This allows the information (3) of the items (4) being transported by the conveyor (1) to be communicated to the workers (5).

Registered Utility Model No. 3186690

However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, workers must constantly watch the sorting line to check whether the items they are supposed to sort are being transported. From this perspective, the burden on workers remains large. In addition, because watching the sorting line takes up time from workers, overall work efficiency is likely to decrease.

In light of the above situation, it is desirable to realize a sorting assistance system that can reduce the burden on workers performing sorting work.

In view of the above , one aspect of a sorting work assistance system that assists a worker in sorting work of items includes a conveying device that conveys a plurality of the items brought into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path, a plurality of sorting work areas that are set to be lined up along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction, an imaging device that is arranged on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the plurality of sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and that images each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device, an identification information acquisition device that is arranged on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the plurality of sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and that acquires identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device, an item receiving unit arranged in each of the plurality of sorting work areas, a work assistance device arranged in each of the plurality of sorting work areas, and a control device. the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking out target items from the plurality of items transported by the transport device and handing them over to the item receiving section, the work assistance device comprises a display unit that displays images of the items photographed by the photographing device, and an alarm unit that notifies the occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is located, and the control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items is to be performed as a target area, causes the alarm unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work before the target items reach the target area , and causes the display unit of the target area to display the image of the target item photographed by the photographing device upstream of the plurality of sorting work areas in the transport direction before the target item reaches the target area .

According to this configuration, when a sorting task to be performed in the sorting work area occurs, the notification unit notifies the worker of the occurrence of the sorting task to be performed. Therefore, the worker can recognize the occurrence of the sorting task to be performed by the notification by the notification unit. As a result, the worker does not need to constantly watch the transport route to check whether the target object to be sorted by the worker is being transported. Therefore, according to this configuration, the burden on the worker can be reduced, and the period when the sorting task does not need to be performed can be used for other tasks, and the overall work efficiency can be improved. In addition, according to this configuration, since the image of the target object to be sorted in each sorting work area is displayed on the display unit, the worker can select and take out the target object based on the image from among the multiple objects transported by the transport device. Therefore, the sorting task by the worker can be facilitated, and the burden on the worker can be reduced in this respect as well.

Further features and advantages of the technology disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, which are described with reference to the drawings.

Schematic diagram of the sorting support system A diagram showing a display unit and a notification unit. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the process executed by the control device over time. FIG. 1 shows an example of an unrecognized item. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of processing for an unrecognized item. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of processing for an unrecognized item. A diagram showing a group of items photographed at once. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display mode of the display unit in the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining mode switching by a control device in a third embodiment.

The sorting work assistance system is a system that assists workers in sorting items. The sorting work assistance system is used, for example, in logistics warehouses to assist in the work of sorting multiple items according to their shipping destinations. An embodiment of the sorting work assistance system is described below.

First Embodiment
A first embodiment of the sorting operation assistance system will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting work assistance system 100 includes a conveying device 1 that conveys multiple items G conveyed to the carry-in area Ai in the conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path R, multiple sorting work areas Aw that are set to be lined up along the conveying path R downstream of the carry-in area Ai in the conveying direction, a photographing device 2 that is arranged downstream of the carry-in area Ai on the conveying path R in the conveying direction and upstream of the multiple sorting work areas Aw in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the multiple items G being conveyed by the conveying device 1, an identification information acquisition device 3 that is arranged downstream of the carry-in area Ai on the conveying path R in the conveying direction and upstream of the multiple sorting work areas Aw in the conveying direction, and acquires identification information Ig (see FIG. 2) of each of the multiple items G being conveyed by the conveying device 1, and a control device C. The sorting work assistance system 100 also includes an item receiving unit 4 arranged in each of the multiple sorting work areas Aw, and a work assistance device 5 arranged in each of the multiple sorting work areas Aw.

The loading area Ai is an area where items G are loaded onto the transport route R. Although detailed illustration is omitted, workers, robots, unmanned transport vehicles, conveyors, etc. are placed in the loading area Ai, and multiple items G are loaded sequentially onto the transport route R by these. The multiple items G loaded onto the transport route R are transported sequentially along the transport route R by the transport device 1.

In this embodiment, the conveying path R is a closed circular path. Therefore, the item G conveyed along the conveying path R can circle around the conveying path R.

In this embodiment, the conveying device 1 is configured using a conveyor. The conveying device 1 is arranged along the conveying path R. In this example, the conveying device 1 is configured as a so-called circle conveyor arranged along the circular conveying path R. The conveying device 1 may be configured using various types of conveyors, such as a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, or a roller conveyor, in part or in whole.

The photographing device 2 is configured to photograph an item G on the transport route R. The photographing device 2 is preferably configured to photograph the item G from a height close to the eye level of the worker W and from a direction close to the line of sight of the worker W, or from a height close to the eye level of the worker W and a direction close to the line of sight of the worker W. This makes it possible to make the image P (see FIG. 2) of the item G obtained by the photographing device 2 similar to the scenery that the worker W sees when he or she actually looks at the item G on the transport route R.

The identification information acquisition device 3 is configured to acquire identification information Ig (see FIG. 2) of an item G on the transport route R. The identification information Ig is unique information set for each item G. The identification information Ig may include various information for identifying the item G, such as an item code, a sorting destination code, or a shipping destination code.

In this embodiment, the item G has an information holding unit Gi that holds the identification information Ig. The identification information acquisition device 3 is configured to read the identification information Ig from the information holding unit Gi. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the information holding unit Gi includes a label attached to the surface of the item G, and an identification code such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code is displayed on the label. The identification information acquisition device 3 is configured as a code reader that reads the identification code. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, the information holding unit Gi may be configured using an IC tag, and the identification information acquisition device 3 may be configured using an IC tag reader. That is, in this case, the identification information acquisition device 3 is configured to acquire the identification information Ig from the information holding unit Gi using short-range wireless communication. In addition, as another example, the identification information acquisition device 3 may be configured to acquire the identification information Ig from a management controller (not shown) that manages the identification information Ig of the item G carried in from the carry-in area Ai.

In this embodiment, the identification information acquisition device 3 is configured to acquire identification information Ig from an image of the item G photographed by the photographing device 2. In this example, the photographing device 2 and the identification information acquisition device 3 are configured as a single device. However, without being limited to this configuration, the photographing device 2 and the identification information acquisition device 3 may be configured as separate devices.

The item receiving unit 4 is an element that receives items G that have been sorted by a sorting operation. The items G received by the item receiving unit 4 are discharged from the transport route R and transported to a location where the next process is performed according to the identification information Ig of the item G (e.g., the shipping destination, etc.). In this embodiment, the item receiving unit 4 is configured using a chute. However, without being limited to this configuration, the item receiving unit 4 may be configured using a conveyor, an unmanned guided vehicle, a cart, or the like.

The sorting work area Aw is an area where a worker W performs sorting work by picking out a target item Gt from among multiple items G transported by the transport device 1 and handing it over to the item receiving section 4. In the sorting work assistance system 100, each of the multiple items G is linked to one of the multiple sorting work areas Aw based on the identification information Ig of each item G. A "target item Gt" is an item G that is linked to a specific sorting work area Aw. Note that, hereinafter, a specific sorting work area Aw that is linked to a target item Gt may be referred to as a "target area At."

In this embodiment, an acceptance detection device 6 is disposed in each of the multiple sorting work areas Aw, which detects whether or not an item G has been accepted at the item receiving section 4. The acceptance detection device 6 detects the acceptance of an item G when the item G is accepted at the item receiving section 4 through the sorting work of the worker W. In this example, the acceptance detection device 6 includes an operation unit (not shown) operated by the worker W, and detects the acceptance of an item G by operating the operation unit. The operation unit of the acceptance detection device 6 may be configured using a button or lever, or may be configured using an icon displayed on a monitor or touch panel.

In this embodiment, the multiple sorting work areas Aw are configured to allow the worker W to move between them. In this example, a space through which the worker W can pass is provided between the transport route R and each item receiving section 4. The worker W can move between the multiple sorting work areas Aw by passing through this space. In this example, the multiple sorting work areas Aw are also configured to allow the worker W to move between the multiple sorting work areas Aw and the backup work area Ab described below.

2, the work support device 5 includes a display unit 51 that displays an image P of the item G photographed by the photographing device 2, and a notification unit 52 that notifies the occurrence of sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area Aw in which the work support device 5 is placed. In this embodiment, the work support device 5 is fixedly placed in the sorting work area Aw, but the work support device 5 (specifically, at least one of the display unit 51 and the notification unit 52) can also be a device worn by the worker W, for example. An example of the display unit 51 worn by the worker W can be smart glasses that display the image P of the item G by augmented reality, and an example of the notification unit 52 worn by the worker W can be earphones or a vibration device described later. In this way, when the work support device 5 is a device worn by the worker W, the work support device 5 is placed in the sorting work area Aw by placing the worker W wearing the work support device 5 in the sorting work area Aw.

The display unit 51 is configured to display the item G (target item Gt) to be sorted in the sorting work area Aw (target area At) in which the display unit 51 is located. This allows the worker W to grasp the appearance of the item G (target item Gt) to be sorted in the sorting work area Aw in which the worker W is located, via the display unit 51. It is preferable that the display unit 51 is located at a height close to the eye level of the worker W. This allows the image P of the item G displayed on the display unit 51 to be located in a position that is easy for the worker W to see.

The notification unit 52 is configured to notify the occurrence of sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area Aw (target area At) in which the notification unit 52 is located. This allows the worker W to recognize the occurrence of sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area Aw in which the worker W is located. In this embodiment, the notification unit 52 is configured to notify the worker W of the occurrence of sorting work by visual means. In the illustrated example, the notification unit 52 is configured using an indicator light and is configured to notify by visual means. For example, the indicator light of the notification unit 52 is configured to be lit or flashing when sorting work has occurred and to be turned off otherwise.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the sorting work assistance system 100 further includes a backup work area Ab that is set downstream in the conveying direction from the multiple sorting work areas Aw and in which the work assistance device 5 is located.

The backup work area Ab is an area where the worker W performs backup work for unrecognized items Gn (see FIG. 4), which are items G for which the identification information Ig could not be acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3. Since the unrecognized items Gn are items G for which the identification information Ig could not be acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3, the sorting work area Aw in which the sorting work for the unrecognized items Gn should be performed is unknown. Therefore, the unrecognized items Gn are not accepted (sorted) in each sorting work area Aw, and are transported to the backup work area Ab, which is located at the most downstream side in the transport direction. In the backup work area Ab, the worker W performs backup work for such unrecognized items Gn. Details of the backup work will be described later.

Next, the control device C will be described. The control device C includes, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, and peripheral circuits such as memory. Each process or function is realized by the cooperation of this hardware with a program executed on the processor of a computer or the like.

The control device C is configured to control the operation of the conveying device 1 and the work support device 5. The control device C is also configured to acquire information from the photographing device 2, the identification information acquisition device 3, and the acceptance detection device 6. Specifically, the control device C is configured to acquire image information of the item G from the photographing device 2, acquire identification information Ig of the item G from the identification information acquisition device 3, and acquire information on whether an item has been accepted in each sorting work area Aw from the acceptance detection device 6. The control device C is configured to control each device based on each acquired information.

Figure 3 shows the process executed by the control device C over time. The horizontal axis T in the figure indicates the flow of time.

As shown in FIG. 3, at time T0, the photographing device 2 photographs the item G and the identification information acquisition device 3 acquires the identification information Ig. At time T0, the control device C acquires the identification information Ig of the item G from the identification information acquisition device 3. Then, based on the identification information Ig of each of the multiple items G acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3, the control device C determines the sorting work area Aw in which each of the multiple items G is to be sorted as the target item Gt, as the target area At. For example, based on the identification information Ig of the target item Gt, the control device C acquires sorting destination information associated with the identification information Ig, and determines the sorting work area Aw in which the item receiving unit 4 corresponding to the sorting destination (e.g., shipping destination) indicated in the sorting destination information is located as the target area At. After determining the target area At, the control device C causes the notification unit 52 of the target area At to notify the occurrence of sorting work, and causes the display unit 51 of the target area At to display the image P of the target item Gt.

In this embodiment, the control device C determines the target area At where the sorting work should be performed for the target item Gt, and then causes the notification unit 52 to issue a notification a first specified time T1 before the estimated arrival time Tin of the target item Gt to the target area At, which is determined based on the conveying speed of the target item Gt by the conveying device 1. As a result, when a sorting work occurs, the notification unit 52 issues a notification a first specified time T1 before the time Tin at which the target item Gt to be the target of the sorting work reaches the target area At. In other words, the worker W can be notified that the target item Gt is approaching the target area At before the target item Gt arrives at the target area At. Therefore, the occurrence of the sorting work can be notified to the worker W at an appropriate time. In this example, the estimated arrival time Tin is expected to be the time when the downstream end of the target item Gt in the conveying direction starts to enter the target area At.

In this embodiment, when the time from the target area determination time T0, which is the time when the target area At where the sorting work should be performed for the target items Gt is determined, to the predicted arrival time Tin based on the conveying speed at that time T0 (the conveying speed of the target items Gt by the conveying device 1), is less than the first specified time T1, the control device C reduces the conveying speed so that the time from the target area determination time T0 to the predicted arrival time Tin is equal to or greater than the first specified time T1. This makes it possible to appropriately secure the time (first specified time T1) from the notification by the notification unit 52 to the predicted arrival time Tin of the target items Gt.

In this embodiment, the control device C determines the target area At where the sorting work should be performed for the target item Gt, and then displays the image P of the target item Gt on the display unit 51 a predetermined second specified time T2 before the estimated arrival time Tin of the target item Gt to the target area At, which is determined based on the transport speed of the target item Gt by the transport device 1. In this example, the control device C also displays the identification information Ig of the target item Gt on the display unit 51 a second specified time T2 before the estimated arrival time Tin (see FIG. 2). As a result, when a sorting work occurs, the image P and identification information Ig of the target item Gt are displayed on the display unit 51 a second specified time T2 before the time Tin at which the target item Gt to be sorted reaches the target area At. In other words, the appearance and identification information Ig of the target item Gt can be recognized by the worker W before the target item Gt arrives at the target area At.

In this embodiment, when the time from the target area determination time T0, which is the time when the target area At where the sorting work should be performed for the target item Gt is determined, to the estimated arrival time Tin based on the conveying speed at the target area determination time T0 is less than the second specified time T2, the control device C reduces the conveying speed so that the time from the target area determination time T0 to the estimated arrival time Tin is equal to or longer than the second specified time T2. This makes it possible to appropriately secure the time (second specified time T2) from when the image P (and identification information Ig) of the target item Gt is displayed by the display unit 51 to the estimated arrival time Tin of the target item Gt.

In this embodiment, the first specified time T1, which is the standard for the notification by the notification unit 52, is set to a time longer than the second specified time T2, which is the standard for the display by the display unit 51. That is, in this example, the control device C displays the display unit 51 after notifying the notification unit 52 about a specific target item Gt. Note that the first specified time T1 and the second specified time T2 can each be set appropriately depending on the operation of the equipment, etc. For example, if the first specified time T1 and the second specified time T2 are set to zero, the notification by the notification unit 52 and the display by the display unit 51 are performed at the predicted arrival time Tin.

Here, due to human error or the like, the target item Gt that should have been sorted may pass through the target area At without undergoing sorting.

In this embodiment, the control device C starts the notification by the notification unit 52 a first specified time T1 before the predicted arrival time Tin, and ends the notification by the notification unit 52 before the predicted exit time Tout at which the target item Gt that was the subject of the sorting work is predicted to exit the target area At if the sorting work in the target area At is not performed. This makes it possible to avoid unnecessarily long notifications of the occurrence of sorting work for the target item Gt. Note that in this example, the predicted exit time Tout is predicted to be the time when the downstream end of the target item Gt in the conveying direction starts to exit the target area At.

In this embodiment, the control device C starts displaying the image P (and identification information Ig) of the target item Gt on the display unit 51 a second specified time T2 before the expected arrival time Tin, and ends displaying the image P (and identification information Ig) of the target item Gt on the display unit 51 before the expected exit time Tout at which the target item Gt that was the subject of the sorting work is expected to exit the target area At if the sorting work in the target area At is not performed. This makes it possible to avoid displaying the target item Gt for an unnecessarily long period of time.

In addition, the target item Gt that has passed through the target area At is transported to the backup work area Ab, where the necessary processing is carried out on the target item Gt.

The backup work area Ab described above with reference to FIG. 1 is an area where the worker W performs backup work on unrecognized items Gn, which are items G for which the identification information Ig could not be acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3.

Figure 4 shows an example of an unrecognized item Gn. For example, if the information storage unit Gi of the item G is damaged, in the illustrated example, if the label attached to the item G is torn, the identification information Ig cannot be acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3. In this case, the item G is identified as an unrecognized item Gn.

Furthermore, if the information retention unit Gi of the item G is located in a position that cannot be recognized from the image P, as in the illustrated example, if the item G is turned inside out with the label facing downwards, the identification information acquisition device 3 cannot acquire the identification information Ig. In this case, the item G is identified as an unrecognized item Gn. However, if the information retention unit Gi is configured using an IC tag and the identification information acquisition device 3 is configured using an IC tag reader, the identification information Ig can be acquired even if the IC tag is located in a position that cannot be recognized from the image P.

When an unrecognized item Gn as described above occurs, the unrecognized item Gn passes through each sorting work area Aw and is transported to the backup work area Ab. When an unrecognized item Gn occurs, the control device C causes the notification unit 52 of the backup work area Ab to notify the occurrence of backup work, and causes the display unit 51 of the backup work area Ab to display an image P of the unrecognized item Gn. In this example, in addition to displaying the image P of the unrecognized item Gn, the control device C causes the display unit 51 to display that the sorting work is impossible. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 51 is configured to display "error". Although details are omitted, the notification mode (start timing, end timing, etc. of the notification) by the notification unit 52 of the backup work area Ab can be set, for example, in the same way as the notification mode by the notification unit 52 of the target area At. In addition, the display mode (start timing, end timing, etc. of the display of the image P) by the display unit 51 of the backup work area Ab can be set, for example, in the same way as the notification mode by the display unit 51 of the target area At.

In the backup work, work is performed to enable sorting of the unrecognized item Gn. For example, if the label of the unrecognized item Gn is torn (see the upper diagram of FIG. 4), the worker W in the backup work area Ab obtains the identification information Ig of the unrecognized item Gn from the identification tag of the unrecognized item Gn, and identifies the sorting work area Aw where the sorting work of the unrecognized item Gn should be performed. The worker W in the backup work area Ab then instructs the worker W in the identified sorting work area Aw to sort the unrecognized item Gn. As described above, the multiple sorting work areas Aw and the backup work area Ab are configured to allow the worker W to move back and forth. Therefore, for example, the worker W who receives the instruction takes action such as carrying the unrecognized item Gn from the backup work area Ab to the sorting work area Aw that he is responsible for.

Also, for example, when the unrecognized item Gn is turned upside down so that the label faces downward (see the lower diagram of FIG. 4), the worker W in the backup work area Ab adjusts the position of the unrecognized item Gn so that the label faces upward so that the identification information acquisition device 3 can properly read the identification information Ig. The worker W in the backup work area Ab returns the unrecognized item Gn to the transport path R again with the unrecognized item Gn in this adjusted position. As described above, in this example, the transport path R is a closed circular path, so the unrecognized item Gn returned to the transport path R goes around the transport path R, and the identification information acquisition device 3 acquires the identification information Ig from the unrecognized item Gn. Then, the control device C identifies the sorting work area Aw where the unrecognized item Gn should be sorted, and the sorting work for the unrecognized item Gn is performed in the identified sorting work area Aw.

In addition, even in cases different from the example shown in FIG. 4, an unrecognized item Gn for which the identification information acquisition device 3 cannot acquire the identification information Ig may occur. For example, the control device C determines all of the multiple sorting work areas Aw as target areas At for an unrecognized item Gn, which is an item G for which the identification information acquisition device 3 cannot acquire the identification information Ig, causes the notification units 52 of all the target areas At to notify the occurrence of a sorting work, and displays the image P of the target item Gt (unrecognized item Gn) by the display units 51 of all the target areas At. In this case, the worker W in each sorting work area Aw cannot determine whether the unrecognized item Gn being transported is an item G that should be sorted in the sorting work area Aw that the worker W is in charge of, based on the notification by the notification unit 52. Therefore, the worker W uses other information such as the appearance of the unrecognized item Gn or an identification tag to determine whether the unrecognized item Gn is an item G that should be sorted in the sorting work area Aw that the worker W is in charge of.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, in this embodiment, the control device C makes the contents of the notification by the notification unit 52 different between an item G for which the identification information Ig has been acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3 and an item G for which the identification information Ig has not been acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3 (unrecognized item Gn). For example, when the notification unit 52 is configured using an indicator light, the control device C turns on the indicator light as usual when an item G for which the identification information Ig has been acquired is transported, and turns on the indicator light when an unrecognized item Gn is transported. This makes it possible to alert the worker W in each sorting work area Aw to take action regarding the unrecognized item Gn. There are various other examples of differentiating the contents of the notification by the notification unit 52, such as changing the color of the indicator light, or changing the number of indicator lights that are turned on or flashed using multiple indicator lights.

5 and 6, for example, the control device C divides the multiple sorting work areas Aw into multiple groups from the upstream side of the conveying direction, and when there is an unrecognized item Gn, which is an item G for which the identification information Ig could not be acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3, selects the group from the most upstream side of the conveying direction, determines the sorting work area Aw included in the selected group as the target area At, and sequentially selects groups and determines the target area At toward the downstream side of the conveying direction until the acceptance detection device 6 (see FIG. 1) of any of the target areas At detects the acceptance of an item G. The number of sorting work areas Aw constituting one group may be one or more. In the illustrated example, the control device C selects two sorting work areas Aw arranged upstream in the conveying direction as the first group, and selects the remaining two sorting work areas Aw arranged downstream in the conveying direction as the second group. In this case, similar to the above, the worker W uses other information such as the appearance of the unrecognized item Gn being transported and its identification tag to determine whether the unrecognized item Gn is an item G that should be sorted in the worker's sorting work area Aw.

Here, it is preferable that the object photographed by the photographing device 2 is a single item G. However, as shown in FIG. 7, there may be cases where a group of items G is photographed at once by the photographing device 2. In this case, the image P photographed by the photographing device 2 will show multiple items G, and each of the multiple items G is not necessarily an item G that is to be sorted in a specific sorting work area Aw.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when a group of items G consisting of multiple items G is photographed at once by the photographing device 2 and the identification information Ig of each item G of the group of items is acquired by the identification information acquisition device 3, the control device C causes all display units 51 of the multiple target areas At, which have each item G of the group of items as the target item Gt, to display an image P of the group of items. In addition to displaying the image P of the group of items, the control device C also causes the display unit 51 to display the identification information Ig of each of the multiple items G that make up the group of items. Each worker W in the multiple target areas At determines the target item Gt that he or she is responsible for sorting from the group of items based on the identification information Ig displayed on the display unit 51, and performs the sorting work on only the target item Gt. This makes it possible to properly perform the sorting work on each of the multiple items G even if it is not possible to photograph each of the multiple items G separately because the multiple items G are transported in a dense manner.

According to the sorting work assistance system 100 described above, the worker W can recognize the occurrence of sorting work that he/she is required to perform by being notified by the notification unit 52. This eliminates the need for the worker W to constantly keep an eye on the transport route R to check whether the target items Gt for which the worker W is required to perform the sorting work are being transported. This reduces the burden on the worker W and also makes it possible to devote the period when the worker W does not need to perform sorting work to other work, thereby improving overall work efficiency.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the sorting operation assistance system will be described. In the second embodiment, the display mode that the control device C causes the display unit 51 to display is different from that of the first embodiment. In the following, the second embodiment will be described mainly in terms of the differences from the first embodiment. Points that are not particularly described are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, when multiple target items Gt are transported to one target area At at the same time, the control device C displays the number of tasks corresponding to the number of target items Gt on the display unit 51 of the target area At, and when the receipt of the target items Gt is detected by the receipt detection device 6 of the target area At, the control device C subtracts the number of detected target items Gt from the number of tasks and displays it on the display unit 51. In this way, even when multiple target items Gt are transported to one target area At at the same time, the worker W can easily recognize how many items G need to be sorted. Therefore, the possibility of missing out on a target item Gt can be reduced.

"Transported at the same time" includes cases where multiple target items Gt are transported without any time error, and cases where multiple target items Gt are transported with a time difference within a specific period. This "specific period" is, for example, the period from the target area determination time T0 to the expected arrival time Tin (see Figure 3). In other words, the case where there are multiple target items Gt that are to be sorted in the target area At between the area where the imaging device 2 and the identification information acquisition device 3 are located and the target area At is also included in the case of "multiple target items Gt being transported at the same time".

In this embodiment, the control device C displays all images P of the multiple target items Gt transported at the same time on the display unit 51. In this example, the number of tasks is the number of images P of the target items Gt displayed on the display unit 51 (number of images). In the illustrated example, there are three target items Gt transported at the same time, and the display unit 51 displays images Pa, Pb, and Pc of each of the three target items Gt. In this case, the number of images is "3", so the number of tasks is "3". In this example, the display unit 51 displays the image Pa of the target item Gt that arrives in the target area At earliest among the multiple target items Gt transported at the same time larger than the images Pb and Pc of the other target items Gt. Then, the display unit 51 displays the identification information Ig of the target item Gt that arrives in the target area At earliest. This makes it easier for the worker W in the target area At to recognize the target item Gt that should be sorted soon. Each time a task for a target item Gt that is to be sorted most recently is completed, the image P for that target item Gt is deleted. In this example, the number of target items Gt detected by the receipt detection device 6 is subtracted from the number of tasks and displayed on the display unit 51.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the sorting work assistance system will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control device C switches the mode of the sorting work area Aw. The following mainly describes the third embodiment in terms of the differences from the first embodiment. Points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the control device C is configured to be able to switch between a first mode (see FIG. 1) in which different workers W are responsible for sorting work for each of the multiple sorting work areas Aw, and a second mode (see FIG. 9) in which a common worker W is responsible for sorting work for the multiple sorting work areas Aw.

The first mode is the same as the first embodiment described above, and a number of workers W equal to the number of sorting work areas Aw are placed in the sorting work area Aw that each worker is responsible for. In the first mode, the control device C independently operates the work support device 5 in each of the sorting work areas Aw.

And FIG. 9 shows the second mode being executed. As shown in FIG. 9, in the second mode, the control device C operates only one of the work support devices 5 in the work area group, or causes the work support devices 5 in the work area group to perform the same operation, with the work area group consisting of multiple sorting work areas Aw in charge of the same worker W. The image displayed on the display unit 51 in the second mode may include an image of the target item Gt to be sorted in each of the multiple sorting work areas Aw included in the work area group. For example, when the work area group includes two sorting work areas Aw, the image displayed on the display unit 51 in the second mode may include an image of the target item Gt to be sorted in one sorting work area Aw and an image of the target item Gt to be sorted in the other sorting work area Aw.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the work area group consisting of the two sorting work areas Aw on the upstream side of the conveying direction among the four sorting work areas Aw is the first work area group Aw1, and the work area group consisting of the remaining two sorting work areas Aw on the downstream side of the conveying direction is the second work area group Aw2. The control device C operates only one of the multiple work support devices 5 (display unit 51 in the illustrated example) for the first work area group Aw1. The control device C also operates the multiple work support devices 5 (display unit 51 in the illustrated example) for the second work area group Aw2. In the figure, the "△" and "☆" shown on each display unit 51 simply indicate the display content displayed by the display unit 51, and the display unit 51 shown in black indicates a state in which it is not operating. In the example of FIG. 9, one of the two display units 51 of the first work area group Aw1 is not operating. The two display units 51 in the second work area group Aw2 both show the same content (☆).

According to this embodiment, even if the same worker W is in charge of sorting work in multiple sorting work areas Aw, the work assistance device 5 can appropriately assist the worker W in sorting work. Furthermore, the worker W can appropriately recognize information about the target item Gt to be sorted while waiting in one of the sorting work areas Aw for the target item Gt to be transported. As described in the first embodiment, the multiple sorting work areas Aw are configured so that the worker W can move between them. Therefore, even when the control device C is executing the second mode, the worker W can freely move between the multiple sorting work areas Aw that make up the work area group, and can appropriately perform sorting work in each sorting work area Aw.

Other embodiments
Next, other embodiments of the sorting operation assistance system will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first specified time T1, which is the basis for the notification by the notification unit 52, is set to a time longer than the second specified time T2, which is the basis for the display by the display unit 51. However, without being limited to such an example, the first specified time T1 and the second specified time T2 may be set to the same time. In this case, the control device C simultaneously performs notification by the notification unit 52 and display by the display unit 51 for a specific target item Gt.

(2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device C terminates the notification by the notification unit 52 and the display by the display unit 51 before the predicted exit time Tout at which the target items Gt that were the subject of the sorting work are predicted to exit the target area At if the sorting work in the target area At is not performed. However, without being limited to such an example, the control device C may terminate at least one of the notification by the notification unit 52 and the display by the display unit 51 after the predicted exit time Tout.

(3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the notification by the notification unit 52 and the display by the display unit 51 are terminated before the predicted exit time Tout under the control of the control device C. However, without being limited to such an example, the notification by the notification unit 52 and the display by the display unit 51 may be terminated by the operation of the worker W. In this case, the sorting work assistance system 100 may be provided with an operation unit (operation unit for terminating the notification and display) that is operated by the worker W.

(4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the notification unit 52 is configured using an indicator light and configured to provide notification by visual means. However, without being limited to such an example, the notification unit 52 may provide notification, for example, by characters or symbols displayed on a monitor. In this case, the notification unit 52 may provide notification using the screen of the display unit 51. The notification unit 52 may also be configured to provide notification using sound or vibration means other than visual means. When sound means is used, the notification unit 52 may be configured using a speaker that emits sound (such as an alarm sound or an announcement voice). When vibration means is used, the notification unit 52 may be configured using, for example, a vibration device (a wristwatch or tablet with a vibration function) that can be worn by the worker W.

(5) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the control device C causes the display unit 51 to display the number of tasks corresponding to the number of target items Gt that have been transported to one target area At at the same time, and the number of tasks is the number of images P (number of images) displayed on the display unit 51. However, without being limited to such an example, the number of tasks may be a number. That is, in this case, the control device C may cause the display unit 51 to display a number as the number of tasks.

(6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the sorting work assistance system 100 includes a backup work area Ab that is set downstream in the conveying direction from the multiple sorting work areas Aw, that is, an example in which the sorting work area Aw and the backup work area Ab are provided separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the sorting work area Aw that is located furthest downstream in the conveying direction among the multiple sorting work areas Aw may also serve as the backup work area Ab.

(7) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the control device C is configured to be able to change the conveying speed of the conveying device 1. In such a configuration, the control device C may change the conveying speed of the conveying device 1 depending on the number of items G being conveyed along the conveying path R. For example, the control device C reduces the conveying speed of the conveying device 1 when the number of items G being conveyed along the conveying path R is equal to or greater than a regulated number, compared to when the number of items G is less than a regulated number. In this way, it is easier to ensure that the time required for the worker W in each sorting work area Aw to perform sorting work for all items G being conveyed along the conveying path R is sufficient.

(8) In the above embodiment, even if a group of items G consisting of multiple items G is photographed at once by the photographing device 2, a configuration has been described that allows appropriate sorting work to be performed on each of the multiple items G that make up the group of items. However, the sorting work assistance system 100 may be provided with a configuration that allows the group of items to be prevented from being photographed at once in advance. Although detailed illustration is omitted, for example, the sorting work assistance system 100 may be provided with a separation device that separates multiple items G that are transported densely on the transport path R along the transport direction. The separation device is arranged upstream of the photographing device 2 on the transport path R in the transport direction. The separation device is configured using multiple conveyors that are arranged adjacent to each other along the transport direction and operate independently of each other. The separation device changes the transport speed between the multiple conveyors, thereby forming gaps in the transport direction between the multiple items G that are transported densely on the transport path R, and the multiple items G can be separated along the transport direction. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the group of items from being photographed at once by the photographing device 2 in advance.

(9) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the control device C determines, as the target area At, the sorting work area Aw in which sorting work for each of the multiple items G is to be performed, as the target item Gt. In such a configuration, the control device C may determine the target area At so that the number of sorting work tasks in the multiple sorting work areas Aw is equal.

(10) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the transport path R was a circular, closed path. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the transport path R does not have to be a closed path.

(11) In the above embodiment, an example in which the transport device 1 is configured using a conveyor has been described. However, the transport device 1 is not limited to such an example, and may be configured, for example, using a tracked or trackless automated guided vehicle.

(12) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments may be combined with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, provided no contradictions arise. With respect to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications may be made as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of this disclosure.

[Summary of the above embodiment]
The sorting operation assistance system described above will now be described.

A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
Based on the identification information of each of the multiple items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the control device determines the sorting work area in which the sorting work of each of the multiple items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and displays an image of the target item on the display unit of the target area.

According to this configuration, when a sorting task to be performed in the sorting work area occurs, the notification unit notifies the worker of the occurrence of the sorting task to be performed. Therefore, the worker can recognize the occurrence of the sorting task to be performed by the notification by the notification unit. As a result, the worker does not need to constantly watch the transport route to check whether the target object to be sorted by the worker is being transported. Therefore, according to this configuration, the burden on the worker can be reduced, and the period when the sorting task does not need to be performed can be used for other tasks, and the overall work efficiency can be improved. In addition, according to this configuration, since the image of the target object to be sorted in each sorting work area is displayed on the display unit, the worker can select and take out the target object based on the image from among the multiple objects transported by the transport device. Therefore, the sorting task by the worker can be facilitated, and the burden on the worker can be reduced in this respect as well.

After determining the target area in which the sorting work should be performed for the target items, the control device preferably causes the notification unit to issue a notification a first predetermined time before the predicted arrival time of the target items at the target area, which is determined based on the transport speed of the target items by the transport device.

According to this configuration, when a sorting operation occurs, the notification unit issues a notification a first specified time before the target items to be sorted reach the target area. Therefore, the occurrence of the sorting operation can be notified to the worker at an appropriate time.

It is preferable that the control device starts the notification by the notification unit the first specified time before the predicted arrival time, and ends the notification by the notification unit before the predicted exit time at which the target items that were the subject of the sorting work are predicted to exit the target area if the sorting work in the target area is not performed.

This configuration makes it possible to avoid unnecessary long notifications about the occurrence of sorting work related to the target items.

When the time from the target area determination time point to the predicted arrival time based on the conveying speed at the target area determination time point, which is the time point when the target area where the sorting work is to be performed for the target items is determined, is less than the first specified time, the control device preferably reduces the conveying speed so that the time from the target area determination time point to the predicted arrival time is equal to or greater than the first specified time.

This configuration makes it possible to appropriately secure the time (first specified time) between when the alarm is issued by the alarm unit and when the target item is expected to arrive.

After determining the target area in which the sorting operation is to be performed for the target items, the control device preferably causes the display unit to display an image of the target items a second predetermined time before the predicted arrival time of the target items at the target area, which is determined based on the transport speed of the target items by the transport device.

According to this configuration, when a sorting operation occurs, the display unit displays an image of the target item that is the subject of the sorting operation a second specified time before the target item reaches the target area. Therefore, the worker can check the image of the target item at an appropriate time.

It is preferable that the control device starts displaying the image of the target item on the display unit the second specified time before the predicted arrival time, and ends displaying the image of the target item on the display unit before the predicted exit time at which the target item that was the subject of the sorting work is predicted to exit the target area if the sorting work in the target area is not performed.

This configuration makes it possible to avoid displaying the target item for an unnecessarily long period of time.

When the time from the target area determination time point to the predicted arrival time based on the conveying speed at the target area determination time point, which is the time point when the target area where the sorting work is to be performed for the target items is determined, is less than the second specified time, the control device preferably reduces the conveying speed so that the time from the target area determination time point to the predicted arrival time is equal to or greater than the second specified time.

This configuration makes it possible to appropriately secure the time (second specified time) from when the image of the target item is displayed by the display unit to the predicted arrival time of the target item.

a backup work area that is set downstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction and in which the work assist device is disposed,
the backup work area is an area where an operator performs backup work on an unrecognized object, which is an object for which the identification information acquisition device has not been able to acquire the identification information;
It is preferable that, when an unrecognized item occurs, the control device causes the alarm unit in the backup work area to notify the occurrence of the backup work, and displays an image of the unrecognized item on the display unit in the backup work area.

With this configuration, even if an item occurs for which the identification information acquisition device cannot acquire identification information, appropriate backup work can be performed for that item.

For unrecognized items, which are items for which the identification information could not be acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the control device preferably determines all of the multiple sorting work areas as the target areas, causes the notification units in all of the target areas to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and displays images of the target items on the display units in all of the target areas.

With this configuration, even if an item (unrecognized item) occurs for which the identification information acquisition device was unable to acquire identification information, the sorting work for the unrecognized item can be carried out by a worker in each sorting work area.

A reception detection device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas to detect whether the article is received in the article receiving section,
It is preferable that the control device divides the multiple sorting work areas into multiple groups from the upstream side of the conveying direction, and when there is an unrecognized item, which is an item for which the identification information acquisition device could not acquire the identification information, selects the group from the most upstream side in the conveying direction, determines the sorting work area included in the selected group as the target area, and sequentially selects the groups and determines the target areas toward the downstream side in the conveying direction until the acceptance of the item is detected by the acceptance detection device in any of the target areas.

With this configuration, even if an item (unrecognized item) occurs for which the identification information acquisition device was unable to acquire identification information, the sorting work for the unrecognized item can be performed by a worker in the sorting work area, starting from the sorting work area belonging to the upstream group.

It is preferable that the control device causes the notification unit to provide different notification contents for the item for which the identification information has been acquired by the identification information acquisition device and the item for which the identification information has not been acquired by the identification information acquisition device.

According to this configuration, the worker can determine from the notification content of the notification unit whether the transported item is an item for which identification information has been acquired and it has been confirmed that the item will be sorted in the sorting work area for which the worker is responsible, or an item for which identification information has not been acquired and it has not been confirmed that the item will be sorted in the sorting work area for which the worker is responsible. Therefore, even if the transport device is transporting a mixture of items for which identification information has been acquired and items for which identification information has not been acquired, it is possible to facilitate the sorting work by the worker.

When a group of items consisting of a plurality of the items is photographed at once by the photographing device and the identification information of each of the items in the group of items is acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the control device preferably causes all of the display units in the plurality of target areas in which each of the items in the group of items is the target item to display an image of the group of items.

With this configuration, even if multiple items are transported close together and it is not possible to photograph each of the items separately, it is possible to properly sort each of the items.

A reception detection device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas to detect whether the article is received in the article receiving section,
It is preferable that, when multiple target items are transported to one target area at the same time, the control device displays the number of tasks corresponding to the number of target items on the display unit of the target area, and, when the acceptance detection device in the target area detects the acceptance of the target items, subtracts the number of the detected target items from the number of tasks and displays it on the display unit.

With this configuration, even if multiple target items are transported to one target area at the same time, the worker can easily recognize how many items need to be sorted. This reduces the possibility of missing a target item.

The control device is configured to be switchable between a first mode in which different workers are in charge of the sorting work for each of the plurality of sorting work areas, and a second mode in which a common worker is in charge of the sorting work for the plurality of sorting work areas;
In the first mode, the control device independently operates the work assist device in each of the plurality of sorting work areas,
In the second mode, it is preferable that the control device treats a plurality of sorting work areas managed by the same worker as a work area group, and operates only one of the plurality of work auxiliary devices in the work area group, or causes the plurality of work auxiliary devices in the work area group to perform the same operation.

According to this configuration, even if the same worker is in charge of sorting work in multiple sorting work areas, the work assistance device can appropriately assist the worker in sorting work. In addition, the worker can appropriately recognize information about the target item while waiting in one of the sorting work areas for the target item to be sorted to be transported.

The technology disclosed herein can be used in a sorting assistance system that assists workers in sorting items.

100: Sorting operation support system 1: Conveying device 2: Photography device 3: Identification information acquisition device 4: Item receiving section 5: Operation support device 51: Display section 52: Notification section 6: Receipt detection device C: Control device Ab: Backup operation area Ai: Carry-in area At: Target area Aw: Sorting operation area G: Item Gn: Unrecognized item Gt: Target item Ig: Identification information P: Item image R: Conveying path T0: Target area determination time T1: First specified time T2: Second specified time Tin: Estimated arrival time Tout: Estimated exit time W: Worker

Claims (14)

A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device, based on the identification information of each of the multiple items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, determines the sorting work area in which the sorting work of each of the multiple items should be performed as the target area, with each of the multiple items as the target item, causes the alarm unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work before the target items reach the target area , and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item photographed by the photographing device upstream of the multiple sorting work areas in the conveying direction before the target items reach the target area . A sorting work assistance system. A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item,
The control device determines the target area in which the sorting work should be performed for the target items, and then causes the alarm unit to issue an alarm a predetermined first specified time before the predicted time at which the target items will arrive at the target area, which is determined based on the transport speed of the target items by the transport device . The sorting operation assistance system according to claim 2, wherein the control device starts the notification by the notification unit before the first specified time with respect to the predicted arrival time, and ends the notification by the notification unit before a predicted exit time at which the target items that were the subject of the sorting operation would exit the target area if the sorting operation in the target area were not performed. The sorting operation assistance system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, when the time from the target area determination time to the predicted arrival time based on the conveying speed at the target area determination time, which is the time when the target area where the sorting operation is to be performed for the target items, is less than the first specified time, the control device reduces the conveying speed so that the time from the target area determination time to the predicted arrival time is equal to or greater than the first specified time. A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item,
The control device determines the target area in which the sorting work should be performed for the target items, and then displays an image of the target items on the display unit a second specified time before the predicted arrival time of the target items to the target area, which is determined based on the transport speed of the target items by the transport device . The sorting operation assistance system according to claim 5, wherein the control device starts displaying the image of the target item on the display unit the second specified time before the predicted arrival time, and ends displaying the image of the target item on the display unit before a predicted exit time at which the target item that was the subject of the sorting operation would exit the target area if the sorting operation in the target area were not performed. The sorting operation assistance system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, if the time from the target area determination time to the predicted arrival time based on the conveying speed at the target area determination time, which is the time when the target area where the sorting operation is to be performed for the target items, is less than the second specified time, the control device reduces the conveying speed so that the time from the target area determination time to the predicted arrival time is equal to or greater than the second specified time. A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item,
a backup work area that is set downstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction and in which the work assist device is disposed,
the backup work area is an area where an operator performs backup work on an unrecognized object, which is an object for which the identification information acquisition device has not been able to acquire the identification information;
The control device, when an unrecognized item occurs, causes the notification unit in the backup work area to notify the occurrence of the backup work, and displays an image of the unrecognized item on the display unit in the backup work area . A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item,
The control device, for unrecognized items, which are items for which the identification information cannot be acquired by the identification information acquisition device, determines all of the multiple sorting work areas as the target areas, causes the notification units in all of the target areas to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and displays images of the target items on the display units in all of the target areas . A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item,
A reception detection device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas to detect whether the article is received in the article receiving section,
the control device divides the plurality of sorting work areas into a plurality of groups from the upstream side of the conveying direction, and when there is an unrecognized item that is an item for which the identification information acquisition device cannot acquire the identification information, selects the unrecognized item from the group furthest upstream in the conveying direction,
A sorting work assistance system that determines the sorting work areas included in the selected group as the target areas, and sequentially selects groups and determines the target areas downstream in the conveying direction until the acceptance of the item is detected by the acceptance detection device in any of the target areas . The sorting operation assistance system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the control device causes the notification unit to provide different notification contents for the item for which the identification information has been acquired by the identification information acquisition device and the item for which the identification information has not been acquired by the identification information acquisition device. A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item,
The control device, when a group of items consisting of a plurality of the items is photographed at once by the photographing device and the identification information of each of the items in the group of items is acquired by the identification information acquisition device, causes all of the display units in a plurality of target areas in which each of the items in the group of items is the target item to display images of the group of items . A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item,
A reception detection device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas to detect whether the article is received in the article receiving section,
The control device, when a plurality of target items are transported to one target area at the same time, displays the number of tasks corresponding to the number of target items on the display unit of the target area, and, when the receipt detection device of the target area detects the receipt of the target items, subtracts the number of the detected target items from the number of tasks and displays it on the display unit . A sorting operation assistance system that assists a worker in sorting items, comprising:
a conveying device that conveys the plurality of items conveyed into a carry-in area in a conveying direction along a predetermined conveying path;
a plurality of sorting work areas that are arranged along the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction;
a photographing device that is disposed on the conveying path downstream of the carry-in area in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, and photographs each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
an identification information acquisition device that is disposed downstream of the carry-in area on the conveying path in the conveying direction and upstream of the sorting work areas in the conveying direction, the identification information acquisition device acquiring identification information of each of the plurality of items being conveyed by the conveying device;
An article receiving section disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A work assist device is disposed in each of the plurality of sorting work areas;
A control device,
the sorting work area is an area where a worker performs the sorting work by picking up a target item from among the plurality of items transported by the transport device and delivering the target item to the item receiving section;
The work assistance device includes a display unit that displays an image of the object photographed by the photographing device, and a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of the sorting work to be performed in the sorting work area in which the work assistance device is arranged,
The control device determines, based on the identification information of each of the plurality of items acquired by the identification information acquisition device, the sorting work area in which the sorting work of the target items should be performed as the target area, causes the notification unit of the target area to notify the occurrence of the sorting work, and causes the display unit of the target area to display an image of the target item,
The control device is configured to be switchable between a first mode in which different workers are in charge of the sorting work for each of the plurality of sorting work areas, and a second mode in which a common worker is in charge of the sorting work for the plurality of sorting work areas;
In the first mode, the control device independently operates the work assist device in each of the plurality of sorting work areas,
In the second mode, the control device treats a plurality of sorting work areas managed by the same worker as a work area group, and operates only one of the plurality of work assistance devices in the work area group, or causes the plurality of work assistance devices in the work area group to perform the same operation, in a sorting work assistance system.

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